Review: CAO Havana Daydreamin’

One of the projects General Cigars launched for CAO at the IPCPR 2015, was a collaboration with Jimmy Buffet. The two cigar projects are named after Buffet songs, the Margaritaville and the Havana Daydreamin’.

The Havana Daydreamin’ has an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper, over a Nicaraguan binder and filler. Available in three sizes as a Robusto (5x50), Toro (6-1/2x50), and a Torpedo (6-1/4x52).

Check out our IPCPR 2015 interview with Ed McKenna here:

Vitola: Robusto

Size: 5” x 50 Ring Gauge

Wrapper: Ecuador Connecticut Shade

Binder: Nicaraguan

Filler: Nicaraguan

Cigars Smoked for this Review: One each

Price Point: $6.99 MSRP

Cigar Purchased: Manufacturer’s Samples

Quick Note: For this review we used Logan’s rating system. You can view it in detailhere.

Surgeon’s Rating: 82 AKA “If I Had Them”

The nose on the CAO Havana Daydreamin’ noses like a pretty typical Connecticut Shade cigar. Lots of hay, barnyard and cedar on the wrapper with some rich tobacco from the foot.

Using a Xikar v-cutter I found the draw to be a bit on the tight side.

Initial draw impressions are a medium minus amount of sweetness. The Ecuadorian Connecticut Shade influence here is obvious with a start of sweetness, hay, cedar and more pronounced hay and sweetness on the retrohale. As the first third settles in I get a little bit of post draw pepper. The post draw consists mostly of hay and cedar which lingers somewhat between each draw.

As I get into the middle third there some smoky barbeque that starts to enter into the mix, although the post draw is dominated by hay. The smokiness picks up along with a trace of sweetness on the retrohale.

The hay starts to give way on the post draw as the CAO Havana Daydreamin transitions into the last third.

There’s a bit of an acrid note as I start out the first third but it drops off as the first third establishes itself. At the halfway point of the last third I get some notes of cocoa.

The CAO Havana Daydreamin is a pretty traditional Connecticut Shade cigar, at an affordable price point. It’s pretty clear the target demographic is new cigar smokers or smokers who gravitate towards the lighter end of the flavor spectrum. I think this cigar would be a great choice for those smokers, but it isn’t something that fits my personal taste.

Surgeon’s Pairing Recommendation:

As with most Connecticut Shade wrappers I’d opt for coffee, root beer or tea.

I love it when all you guys are like I wont like these, and I swoop and say yeah it sounds right up my alley. Great review sir, wont hesitate to check them out.... Well may hesitate a little you know, Jimmy Buffet and all